I’m feeling like a soulmate AU while I’m here! If you want it without, let me know!
You did your job with pride and little chit chat. Most of your clients wanted whatever shoe that was in style. Dyed metals or resin shoes or whatever else. Personally, plain metal ones were your favorites, they were easy and familiar. They were sturdy and reliable.
Of course, you were raised working with horses over centaurs and other hoofed races.
And your words, your soulmate’s first words to you, they were worrisome.
What happened? What would happen? Were they just surprised at finding you? You’d envisioned the scenario a thousand times from the moment you could understand what the words meant.
Yet today, the lucky day for you, you found out what happened.
You sat down at your station and looked over your schedule. Your first client of the day was a female you’d had several times before. She preferred the real glitzy shoes over the practical ones. Though, you never had much cleaning to do.
You had one or two who weren’t regulars. That was fine.
As clients came and went you listened to them talk about all the things in their lives, good and bad, with the occasional word of input.
Yet, when Niska came in for his one o’clock appointment and bumped into the door, a rack of display shoes, another client, you had to bite your tongue as he was directed to your little section.
He was just here to get cleaned, clipped and his shoes replaced. Something simple. Though, before you even got to work, he’d stepped on your foot.
Now, Niska was a big centaur. His back was higher than you were tall and he had a muscular build. You let a slew of curse words that would make even the saltiest and crassest of people blush.
Niska flinched and removed his foot. You laid on the ground curled in pain. The boots you wore helped keep the foot safe but…
Niska uttered those dreaded words as staff went through the same procedures as practiced. There were posters for all kinds of situations and near everyone had been trained to react immediately. You were quickly whisked off into a ambulance.
You were a hard worker and didn’t often call in sick. Even after they had to reset most every bone in your foot and stuck it in a boot for who knows how long, you were back into it as soon as you could be.
All your regulars had been rescheduled and your new clients passed along. You were sat on a stool while at work and did your work sitting down when you could. Everyone understood and most made comments about how you should be home resting.
You’d thank them, but laughingly tell them that rent doesn’t pay itself and you’re rather fond of eating. Just before the shop closed up, he stepped into the building with the largest bouquet and a cheesy little teddy bear.
“I know this doesn’t make it up, but I hope it’s a start.” He handed them off to you. “I had always wondered what made my soulmate swear like that… It doesn’t make me feel good that I was the cause but, I’m happy I found you.”
He held out his arm. There, in your handwriting, was a long string of expletives that insulted him, his mother, the store, and a number of other things. You showed him your tattoo. He traced the letters.
“Oh. I guess I wasn’t much better.”
“Can’t say much worse than what I did.” You looked at his arm once more. “You’re going to have that on your skin forever.”
“Eh, I like you well enough and kind of owe you.”
“It’s fine. I’m surprised they haven’t just given up and given me a prosthetic. My foots been broken so many times since I was a kid.”
“Ah- Well at least let me help you where I can. I can give you a lift, if you’d like.”
“I’ve not ridden horseback in a long while, but I can’t do that.” He went to object. “But, if you want to come back in say a week and pick me up for a date of something…”
He smiled widely. Then he turned and headed for the door.